to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
Welcome Back!
September 2, 2007
Food Bank Sunday
In today’s readings, we see Jeremiah confronting the people of Israel with an indictment that they no longer love God. They have turned to worship other gods. The psalm reminds us that God gives us the freedom to choose. Disastrous times come, not because God has abandoned us, but in part because we may have turned away from God. The Hebrews passage makes clear in very practical terms, what it means to live in God’s way. The gospel reminds us that being close to God is intimately interwoven with our relationship to others.
If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.
Prelude
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Gathered in Christ’s name, and for the purpose of prayer and praise, we have made our way here today.
All: Gathered in this place rich with history and possibility, we mingle – friend and stranger.
One: Blending our voices, opening our minds and our spirits,
All: we seek and welcome the presence of God.
God of ongoing creation, God of Sabbath rest, attune us to the rhythms of the Spirit. So many of us work too long, too hard. So many of us move too fast or see our days and weeks chock full of things to do, places to go, people to see. The casualties of stress and burn-out and sheer exhaustion are everywhere apparent. The costs of being driven people are dear. May we learn the discipline of Sabbath time, and more balanced living through Jesus, who took time out to pray and renew his spirit. Amen.
Hymn #222 “Come, Let Us Sing”
Conversation Time
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
We aim to carve out a reputation, to find a place of honor in the world. We aim to listen carefully to our friends and family members. We aim to enthusiastically support the community of Jesus Christ. We aim to speak out against poverty and injustice. We aim to grow as disciples of Jesus. With all our good intentions, there may be times when we fall short of the mark. In those times, may we find the strength to do what we have aimed for…(A time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From Proverbs 25:6-7 – Psalm 81:1, 10-16 or Psalm 112 & From the Christian Scriptures – Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16.
Those who exalt themselves will be humbled (From the NRSV)
One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Hymn #245 “Praise the Lord With the Sound of Trumpet”
Mission Moment: Donna Scharf
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory
Prayer of Dedication (One)
Anthem “A Bach Benediction” Arranged by Jean Anne Shafferman
Commissioning (One)
From here to the waiting world is just a few steps. We leave this sanctuary with confidence. Let us go in peace, ready for the journey.
Choral Amen
#884 “You Shall Go Out With Joy” (x2)
You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace;
the mountains and the hills will break forth before you;
there'll be shouts of joy, and all the trees of the field
will clap, will clap their hands!
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)
the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)
the trees of the field will clap their hands (clap, clap)
while you go out with joy.
Postlude
This Week at Westminster (September 2 – September 8)
|
Sun. |
Music & Worship |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
UCW Executive |
9:30 a.m. |
Mem. Hall |
|
|
Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Wed. |
Circle Square UCW Meeting |
7:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir Practise |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Fri. |
Sunday School Teacher Mtg |
6:30 a.m. |
Lounge |
Next Week at Westminster (September 9 – September 15)
|
Sun. |
Worship, Sunday School Registration & Recovenanting Junior Choir Registration |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Ministry & Personnel |
11:45 a.m. |
Jane’s Office |
|
Mon. |
Property |
7:00 p.m. |
West. Room |
|
Tues. |
Mission & Outreach |
10:00a.m. |
Nursery |
|
|
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Board of Elders |
7:00 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Meditation Group |
7:00 p.m. |
Adopt. 2000 |
|
Thurs. |
Electra UCW Meeting |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Sr. Choir Practise |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Friendship Rosters: Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning. It is a helpful record of your worship presence and a way to share special concerns (ie. Prayer requests, name tag requests, etc.)
Edythe Hewitt UCW: Will be meeting on September 5th at the home of Jean Pfeifer, 1540 – 21 St. SE at 2:00 p.m.
Unisphere Global Resource Centre invites you to our AGM and potluck supper at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, September 8th. (basement of WUC). We look forward to hearing about the experiences of two young volunteers who recently visited Burkina Faso and Ghana.
Next Sunday, Sept. 9 will be Recovenanting Sunday. Sunday school and Junior Choir registration will take place in the classrooms after worship. We are still in need of teachers. Please call the office if you are interested in this ministry.
Anyone wishing infant Baptism or Membership Transfer, please call Jane. Baptism and membership Sunday is September 16th.
Part 2 of "Living The Questions" will begin Wednesday, September 19th at 7 p.m. This is a reminder to those who participated in sessions 1-6 and an invitation to those who would like to take part in last 6 sessions. Please let James know if you plan to attend so material can be emailed to you or printed for you. jkfmx5@gmail.com .
A Choral Smile—Choir Positions Open. Positions open in soprano, alto, tenor and bass. No others need apply. Physical Qualifications: Must be able to carry light musical notes part way across the sanctuary. Must have sufficient vision to see the director. Experience: No applications will be accepted from persons who have not sung, hummed, or whistled in the bathtub or shower at some time. Beginning Wage: Increased satisfaction and joy in the service of God. Fringe Benefits: Social Security. We promise you the security of social fellowship with other choir members. Hours: Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. & Sunday mornings. There is occasional opportunity for overtime. Retirement: Generally determined by the printed notes getting too small, the hymnal too heavy, notes too high, the sanctuary too hot or too cold, or the organist unable to play the notes you sing. We are an equal opportunity employer!
Congregational Life and Work Committee is appealing to you, the congregation. The freezer is empty. On Sunday mornings most of us enjoy snacks with our coffee. We are asking for donations of loaves, muffins, cookies and fruit bread (only suggestions). Bring baking to the church anytime and place items in the Auxiliary Kitchen freezer. Thank you.
Treasurer’s Report to August 31, 2007
During the summer months we have fallen behind our budgeted amount on Envelope giving by about $15,500. Thankfully, we have 62 members on PAR, and all whose contributions continued unabated during the lean summer months. Please prayerfully consider the above shortfall during the remaining four months of our fiscal year.
Singers Wanted: Join the Medicine Hat College Adult Choir to sing Handel’s musical masterpiece, “Messiah”. Rehearsals will be held every Tuesday evening at the Cultural Centre from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. beginning September 4th. For more information, contact Al Pols at 527-6296 or Jim Cunnings at 529-9745.
Everyone is welcome to the 90th Anniversary Celebration of Peace United Church, Sunday September 16, 2007, at Irvine. Hymn sing at 10:30 – 11:00 a.m., Worship 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., fellowship 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. and Lunch at 1:00 p.m. Lunch is a hot potluck
Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up is Saturday, Sept. 15 @ 9:00 a.m. and part 2, Saturday, Sept. 22 @ 9:00 a.m. Please see the neon blue poster on the bulletin board by Memorial Hall for more info.
Birthdays: Cameron Walters, Rae Wahl, Matt Maier, Al Piotrowski, Maggie Harrison, May Schlenker, Brian Taylor, May Cooper, Alice Felesky, Anna Marie Hancock, Irene Fekete, Katie Patterson.
Anniversaries: Anne & Don Lonson
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for all those serving the United Church outside of Canada.
Sunday School Co-ordinators Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers Irene Fekete, Edna Forsythe,
Ruth Patrick, Jean Riggins
Nursery Convenor Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts Ken & Bev Empey,
Eilene Marchand & Donna Scharf
Scripture Reader Marilynn Piotrowski
Elder-in-Charge Ray Yanke
Next Week’s Readings from: Jeremiah 18:1-11 or Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 or Psalm 1, Philemon 1-21, Luke 14:25-33.